MARTIN AND MAUREEN WHITEHEAD, UK, MANDALAY PAGAN PACKET, JAN 2018
Hello Paul
We have just returned from a wonderful week aboard the RV Orient Pandaw. Thanks so much to you and to all the team of Pandaw and especially the officers and crew of the RV Orient Pandaw, we couldn't have asked for more. Our transfers from and to the airport were excellent. Comfortable, on time and on the way from Mandalay to Bagan our driver bought us a cold drink at a coffee shop, how kind. The shore excursions were faultless, so interesting and very well paced. Ronald, our guide, was very knowledgable and helpful. Mau, the purser, arranged a private guide for us in Bagan on our first full day in order that we didn't miss anything which the other guests had seen on their first day. Very thoughful of him and much appreciated. His organisation and helpfulness is a credit to him and to you.
We loved the places we called at, it was so lovely to walk round the villages and the Myanmar people were so welcoming to us.
What really made our trip so wonderful was being on your boat. We were welcomed home by the officers and crew each time we boarded and it really did feel like home. The food was excellent and plentiful, great variety each day, we particularly loved the Myanmar salads served at lunchtime and the local food options whenever available. Service in the restaurant was excellent and always served with a smile by both the waiting staff and the kitchen staff. Special mention for Soe Moe and Lin Lin on the sun deck. Very attentive, great cocktails and they went the extra mile, even tethering my phone to theirs when the boat wifi was playing up.
As a measure of how much we enjoyed it , on returning, in fact en route home when changing flights at Bangkok, I was in touch with your staff to book another expedition. The Laos Mekong in November. Many thanks to Huong for helping me to book this members only expedition. She displayed what we have now come to think of as the Pandaw exemplary service.
You have exceeded our expectations and we will now be regular guests of Pandaw.
Kind regards
Martin and Maureen Whitehead
Kuala Lumpur
